Copper strategy: India eyes sixfold rise in demand by 2047; Centre unveils plan to expand refining capacity

Union minister G Kishan Reddy on Friday unveiled the government’s Copper Vision Document, a blueprint aimed at preparing India’s copper ecosystem to meet the expected surge in domestic demand over the next two decades.The roadmap projects that India’s copper demand will rise sixfold by 2047 and sets a target of adding 5 million tonnes per annum of smelting and refining capacity by 2030. It also outlines a multipronged approach including ramping up secondary refining, improving domestic recycling systems, and securing access to overseas mineral resources through global partnerships, according to PTI.“Copper plays a critical role in our energy transition, infrastructure expansion and adoption of green technologies like electric vehicles and solar energy,” said Reddy, who holds the coal and mines portfolio.

He added that the document offers a strategic pathway to meet India’s growing consumption needs while ensuring raw material security.The launch took place at the International Conference on Sustainable and Responsible Mining through Best Mine Closure Practices hosted by the Indian National Committee of the World Mining Congress in Hyderabad.The mines ministry said the document is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of achieving a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and marks a significant step toward building a sustainable, resilient and future-ready domestic copper industry.